A ceasefire deal with Iran defused what had become an escalating confrontation Tuesday evening, as Donald Trump announced a provisional agreement just before his self-imposed deadline for military strikes.
The agreement, brokered by Pakistan, came roughly 90 minutes before Trump's 8pm ET ultimatum to bomb Iran's power plants and bridges. Trump had previously threatened to destroy Iran's "whole civilization" if Tehran did not reopen the strait of Hormuz by the deadline.
Political leaders expressed relief at the announcement. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the president's approach, calling his threats "ridiculous bluster" while acknowledging the ceasefire outcome.
Republicans framed the decision as tactically shrewd, suggesting the threat of force had achieved results without military action. Some GOP leaders portrayed the agreement as a vindication of Trump's confrontational stance.
Legal and military scholars had warned that striking Iran's infrastructure would likely constitute a war crime under international law, adding pressure to resolve the crisis through negotiation.
The announcement brought visible relief among American political circles after days of escalating rhetoric and what many viewed as a perilous slide toward armed conflict. The provisional nature of the ceasefire suggested ongoing negotiations may still be necessary to ensure the agreement holds.
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